Ford Ranger Tremor: Cut-price Wildtrak X closer to Australia, but still not locked-in

The Ford Ranger Tremor – a rival for the Toyota HiLux Rogue, Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior and Mazda BT-50 Thunder – has been confirmed for New Zealand following its debut in Europe 12 months ago.

While European versions of the Ranger Tremor are built in South Africa – which supplies the Volkswagen Amarok and upcoming Ranger Plug-In Hybrid for Australia – and based on a low-spec variant similar to our XLS, the version coming to New Zealand will be built in Thailand and adapted from the mid-spec Sport.

The Ranger Tremor hasn’t been confirmed for Australia, but it could join the local line-up in the coming months as a spiritual successor to the previous-generation Ranger FX4 Max, which was sold elsewhere as the Tremor.

A Ford Australia spokesperson told 4X4 Australia there is "no news" to share on the Ranger Tremor reaching our market.

Like the limited-run Ranger Wildtrak X offered in 2023, the Tremor features the 150kW/500Nm 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel paired with a full-time automatic 4WD system from diesel V6 and Everest models.

It also has the same Raptor-lite wider frame that sees the front and rear track width increased by 30 millimetres over the Ranger Sport, while ride height is up 24mm.

There are also Bilstein-sourced position-sensitive dampers – as found in the Wildtrak X – which can automatically adjust to the terrain with ‘end stop control valve’ technology.

Other new additions include 17-inch ‘asphalt black’ alloy wheels, chunkier 265/70 R17 General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres with white lettering, and Trail Turn Assist – a Ford Bronco-derived feature – to reduce the vehicle’s turning radius by up to 25 per cent on narrow tracks by applying the brake to the inside rear wheel.

It can be engaged under 19km/h when the vehicle is engaged in either 4H or 4L, with the rear differential unlocked.

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External revisions include cast aluminium side steps, boulder grey exterior accents, a darkened grille, and integrated LED auxiliary lamps. It is also available in conquer grey, a colour currently limited to the Raptor.

Inside, the Ranger Tremor has water-resistant black vinyl upholstery with ‘medium dark urban grey’ stitching and a Tremor logo embroidered in orange on the front seatbacks.

Unlike the Ranger Sport, the New Zealand-market Tremor reverts to vinyl flooring shared with lower-spec variants to make cleaning easier, while it also adds roof-mounted auxiliary switches as standard.

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Across the ditch, the 2024 Ford Ranger Tremor is priced from NZ$74,990 (AU$69,500) – NZ$6000 (AU$5500) less than the Wildtrak X.

The Ranger Wildtrak X was priced at $75,990 before on-road costs when it was offered in Australia, which suggests the Tremor could be priced closer to $70,000 plus on-roads if it reaches our market.

A stock bi-turbo Ranger Sport 4x4 dual-cab is listed at $65,690 before on-road costs, while the just-updated Toyota HiLux Rogue with 48-volt tech is priced from $71,530 plus on-roads. The Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior auto starts from $70,765 and the Mazda BT-50 Thunder costs $74,095.

The Ford Ranger was the top-selling car in Australia in 2023, surpassing its HiLux rival, which had been the nation’s top-selling car from 2016 to 2022. Year-to-date, the Ranger remains in the top spot.